2020 -- H 7643

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LC003232

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RECOGNIZING THE RHODE ISLAND SLAVE HISTORY MEDALLION STATEWIDE

EDUCATION PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Abney, Almeida, Hull, and Williams

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island Slave History Medallions is a non-profit statewide public

awareness program committed to educating the Rhode Island public about the state's role in the

slave trade during the colonial period from 1638 to 1843, and marking with slave history

medallions those historic Rhode Island sites that were connected to the transatlantic slave trade;

and

     WHEREAS, Tragically, Rhode Island played a significant part in the slave trade through

its role in building, owning, sailing, and insuring slave ships, making the slave trade a major part

of the Rhode Island economy during this period. Rhode Islanders also distilled molasses into rum

and built the barrels for the rum that was used in the slave trade. Rhode Islanders also owned

sugar plantations in Cuba and Barbados that used and exploited African and Native American

slaves, shipped agricultural commodities to the Caribbean which allowed the slave plantations to

stay in operation, and even manufactured iron chains and manacles for the slave trade; and

     WHEREAS, To be eligible for a Rhode Island Slave History Medallion, a site must have

verifiable evidence of a connection to the slave trade history in Rhode Island. Sites selected can

be public or private. They can be homes, offices and work sites of those that were involved in the

slave trade. It can also be sites where slaves lived and/or labored as well as sites that were

connected to government officials who shaped the policies of the slave trade in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island History Medallions Project will make the history of the

Slave Trade in Rhode Island more accessible to Rhode Islanders. The Medallions placed at slave-

related historical localities serve as awareness educational symbols. In the words of Mr. Lonnie

B. Bunch, III, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian, “Let us use history to inspire us to push a

country forward, to help us believe that all things are possible and to demand a country lives up to

its stated ideals”; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes the Rhode Island Slave History Medallions awareness

program and we hope all Rhode Islanders will take some time to learn more about this important

part of Rhode Island history; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Charles Roberts, Chairman, Rhode Island

Slave History Medallions.

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